- African Language Academy Australia (ALAA) is an enduring initiative established to instruct and mentor the upcoming generation to excel in expressing themselves in their native language. This endeavour aims to reinforce their sense of self while also fostering an appreciation for each language’s customs and cultural heritage. It is an interactive online platform designed to preserve countries of origin’s cultural and linguistic heritage within culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CaLD).
- Our Accomplishments
- Over the previous 12 months, 208 classes have been conducted collectively through Zoom. These sessions covered languages such as Swahili, Shona, Bemba, Nyanja, and Tonga. The teachers delivering these courses were in Zambia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Australia.
- June, July, and August 2022: Initiated the initial stages of a start-up venture. It was decided that the project would initially operate as a community project for three months and then undergo evaluation after August. Mr. Charles Vincent Kaluwasha offered his services to assist in teaching the Lunda language, Pastor Kenny Samuel Phiri volunteered to instruct in Nyanja, and Mrs. Monica Chibale Jr volunteered to teach the Bemba language. On Sunday, June 12th, 2022, we conducted our inaugural Bemba Language class over the Zoom platform.
Australian African Language Academy (ALAA) is an enduring initiative established to instruct and mentor the upcoming generation to excel in expressing themselves in their native language. This endeavour aims to reinforce their sense of self while also fostering an appreciation for each language’s customs and cultural heritage. It is an interactive online platform designed to preserve countries of origin’s cultural and linguistic heritage within culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CaLD).
- As of August 2022, ALAA conducted 16 Ichibemba language lessons, 16 Chinyanja language lessons, 15 Lunda language lessons, and 11 Tonga language lessons, all provided using Zoom.
African Language Academy Australia (ALAA) was formally registered on September 6, 2022, with the following individuals as its founding members:
- Mrs Sofia Chaala, 2. Mrs Theresa Bweupe D’Emden, 3. Mr Charles V. Kaluwasha, 4. Mr Chewe Black Nkole, 5. Pastor Kenny S. Phiri, and 6. Mr Davies Chibale.
The address is 8 Suarez Place, Beckenham WA 6107, and the Australian Business Number (ABN) is 35141034147.
We would like to thank some of our strategic partners across the country who have supported us in the delivery of our services to our target groups. This partnership has fueled our activities in the recruitment and sensitization of our communities to the importance of culture and preserving our African language teachings.
You can access the ALAA website at https://www.alaa.com.au
- created curriculum materials and collaborated with diverse communities to recruit highly skilled language instructors.
- We attained proof of concept when parents gradually began remunerating for language services to support the project’s long-term viability.
In September 2023, the Organization of African Communities in WA (OACWA) honoured ALAA with the Excellence in Innovations Award at the WA Community Awards Gala Night, as announced on oacwa.com.au.
- We were awarded our inaugural ALAA Certificates of Attendance (Level 1) to a total of nine student graduates in November 2023.
- What areas needed improvement, the factors contributing to our success, or the problems we faced? By engaging in cooperative efforts:
- Successfully developed resilience through challenging experiences, demonstrating resolve to communicate an authentic mission and vision, and using diverse talents to generate tangible evidence of concept.
- acquired a deeper understanding of numerous Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) languages and their cultural origins.
- gained further insights into the co-founder’s competencies while also recognising certain areas that require development, including revamping ALAA’s marketing techniques and ensuring that all materials are available online for paid students to access at their convenience. Optimize processes such as enrollment and attendance tracking.
- Create various social media campaigns to enhance the growth of broader networks, foster new collaborations, or establish partnerships that will enhance platform engagements. Examined the utilisation of funds to enhance the visibility and content of the platform.
- Continual efforts to develop a strategic plan to expand the platform.
- Expanding to include more African languages spoken by culturally and linguistically diverse people.
- Establish round-the-clock WhatsApp communication groups for each language class, including parents of kids under 18.
- We participated in the City of Gosnells Fusion Food & Culture Festival recap/flashback on November 10.
In conclusion
We express our gratitude for your role as our first students and for your invaluable contribution in establishing our reputation within the communities we serve.
Kindly spread the word about the proficient facilitators we have at ALAA.
